Why Stretching is The Most Important Part of Your Workout Routine

The majority of my patients know that stretching is important, but what they don’t know is the extent to what it does for their tendons and muscles. Here at Next Level Wellness Center in Irvine my goal is to educate my clients on not only how to improve their health, but why certain practices help them. With stretching, I always find it key to explain what stretches will do for a specific client’s case.

Stretching may seem like a simple process, but when broken down to target specific muscles and tendons, stretching is actually more complicated. The truth is, stretching can make a powerful difference in a patient’s overall health; this is why I emphasize so much effort and prescribe certain stretches for each case I see.

Stretching Is For Everyone

A lot of athletes I work with know that stretching is a must. However, athletes are not the only ones that can feel the tremendous benefits that stretching offers. Stretching increases blood flow along with oxygen levels. The exercises play a key role in delivering nutrients right to your muscles. Just like taking out the trash, when it comes to your body, stretching removes waste, metabolic waste specifically, including carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Be Careful Stretching Tendons

I work with patients with tendon damage often. What surprises them is knowing that just stretching a tendon only four percent beyond its normal length could cause damage. Unfortunately, sometimes the damage can be permanent. I advise my patients to stretch their tendons slowly and consistently. Muscles, on the other hand, can stretch so much that they reach one and a half times their original length.

Always Warm Up First

I suggest running at a moderate pace or hopping on an exercise bike for five to ten minutes to warm up your body before stretching. Then spend the same amount stretching your body before you start your workout. Once your workout is finished, it is just as important to stretch as it was before your workout. At this time, your muscles are loose and stretching plays a key role in your post-workout recovery.

Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, Next Level Wellness Center emphasizes improving your health to reduce the risk of pain and illness in the first place. Most people would rather be healthy and avoid illness if they could. This is one of the main reasons for the big surge in the popularity of our chiropractic services.

To learn more about our variety of services or to schedule an appointment, contact us or call

949-263-9003 today.